Sakura-san's words echoed in my head long after she disappeared into the bustling station crowd at the end of the day. "That 'unexpected love' section... maybe it won't just be for the presentation."
What did she mean by that? Was she talking about us? About the possibility of our fake relationship turning into something real? My mind replayed the moment in the assembly hall during the skit, the brief eye contact that felt strangely charged. Was she feeling it too? Or was I completely misinterpreting a throwaway comment?
The thought sent a jolt through me – a mix of terrifying panic and a strange, undeniable flutter in my chest. Sakura Yamato? Really having feelings for me? It felt even more impossible than her agreeing to fake date me in the first place.
I walked home in a daze, replaying every interaction we'd had since this whole insane plan began. The awkward hand-holding, the uncomfortable lunch, the surprisingly easy conversations about books, the accidental closeness in the clubroom, her defense against the rumors, her arm linked through mine, her adjusting my collar, the shared relief after the presentation, her genuine smile, the quiet walk to the lockers... And now, that comment.
Maybe she was just being metaphorical? Maybe she meant that any love story could be unexpected, not specifically ours? Or maybe she was just thinking aloud about the project theme.
My brain, usually a quiet place, felt like a battlefield where hope and crushing realism were locked in a brutal fight. Realism was currently winning, pointing out my complete averageness versus her undeniable brilliance and popularity.
I needed to talk to someone. The only person I could even partially discuss this with was Kenji.
The next day, during lunch (eaten at my desk, thankfully, not the cafeteria stage), I cornered Kenji.
"Kenji," I said, my voice low. "I need your expert opinion."
He immediately put down his manga. "Ah, yes, Operation Lovebirds debriefing! What's the intel, Agent Hiroshi? Did you manage to get a secret kiss behind the gym?"
"No! Nothing like that," I said, flushing. "It's about... something Yamato-san said yesterday."
"Oh? Spill the beans!"
I hesitated, feeling stupid even voicing the possibility. "After the presentation, she said... about the 'unexpected love' section... she said maybe it won't just be for the presentation."
Kenji blinked. He thought for a moment, rubbing his chin. His usual goofy grin was replaced by a surprisingly thoughtful expression.
"Hmm," he mused. "Unexpected love... not just for the presentation... She said that?"
"Yeah. What do you think she meant?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He looked at me, then at the ceiling, then back at me. "Okay, putting aside the obvious Rom-Com manga trope implications..."
"Putting those aside is difficult right now," I interrupted.
"Right, right," he conceded. "But seriously... there are a few possibilities. One, she was just talking about other love stories in the world, you know, philosophically. Two, she meant that the project itself might spark unexpected love in the audience. Three... she was talking about you guys. About her and you."
My heart hammered. "Three?"
"Yeah, three," Kenji confirmed, his expression serious. "Look, Hiroshi. I know you think you're just 'average Tanaka.' And yeah, compared to the 'School Idol' persona, maybe. But you're kind. You're dedicated to your weird little club. You're surprisingly brave for agreeing to this insane plan. You make her laugh sometimes, I've seen it. And you see a side of her that probably almost nobody else does."
He leaned closer. "Maybe... just maybe... being in this fake relationship with you is making her see something unexpected. Something she didn't know she was looking for."
His words, meant to be encouraging, only made my head spin faster. Was it possible? Was Kenji just being a hopeful best friend, or did he see something I didn't?
"But... she's Sakura Yamato," I protested weakly. "And I'm... me."
"And you're the guy whose hand she holds. Whose collar she adjusts. Who she chose for this crazy plan," Kenji countered. "Think about it. Why you? Out of everyone? Maybe... maybe it's exactly because you're not like everyone else. You're quiet. You're real. You're safe. And you're seeing her, not 'Sakura Yamato'."
He paused, then his goofy grin returned, though softer this time. "Or maybe I'm reading too much into it because I'm the designated best friend. Who knows? But hey. It's a thought, right? Unexpected love."
Talking to Kenji helped clarify the possibilities, but it didn't resolve the confusion. It only deepened the mystery and the internal turmoil. Did I dare hope that his "number three" possibility was the correct one?
Later that day, after classes, I was packing up my bag when Aiko approached my desk. Kenji had already left for his kendo practice.
"Hiroshi?" she said, her voice softer than usual.
"Hey, Aiko," I replied, bracing myself for more questions about my sudden relationship.
She fidgeted slightly. "Look, about the other day... in the park... and seeing you and Yamato-san..."
"It's okay, Aiko," I said. "I know it was... unexpected."
She looked at me directly, her expression serious. "Hiroshi, are you... are you really happy?"
Her question echoed the one she'd asked in the park. This time, without Kenji or Sakura-san present, the weight of the potential lie felt heavier.
I looked at her, my childhood friend, the one who knew me before any of this craziness. The one whose concern felt genuinely rooted in my well-being.
"Aiko," I started, then stopped. Could I tell her? Sakura-san said only Kenji knew. But Aiko was Aiko.
Before I could decide, Aiko continued, her voice low. "Because... I saw how Akane Sato looked at you two in the cafeteria. And I've heard some things people are saying. It sounds... complicated. And if Yamato-san is just... playing some kind of game... I don't want you to get hurt, Hiroshi."
Her concern was palpable. It made me feel both guilty for the deception and touched by her friendship.
I made a split-second decision. I couldn't tell her everything. But maybe... maybe I could tell her just enough.
"Aiko," I said, keeping my voice low. "It is complicated. More complicated than anyone knows. It's... it's not exactly what everyone thinks it is."
Aiko's eyes widened slightly. She leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean? Is it... a secret relationship?"
I hesitated, then chose my words carefully. "It's... it's a relationship that started for a very specific, and maybe unusual, reason. A reason that's important to Yamato-san. And... important to the Classic Literature & Film Society."
I watched her face as she processed this. The mention of the club seemed to click something into place for her.
"The club?" she whispered. "You mean... it's somehow connected to saving the club? Like... a plan?"
I gave her a small, weary smile. "Something like that. It's... it's kind of a big project. For the contest."
Aiko stared at me for a long moment, her initial bewilderment giving way to understanding, then concern again. "So... you're not... really...?"
I didn't answer directly. I just held her gaze, letting the implication hang in the air.
She sighed softly, a mix of relief (that I wasn't being completely played?) and worry (about the complexity). "Hiroshi... that's... that's insane! Why would Yamato-san agree to that? And why you?"
"It's a long story," I said. "And... it's a secret, Aiko. Only Kenji knows the whole thing. I just... I didn't want you to worry. It's... it's important to Yamato-san that it looks real."
Aiko looked from me to the door, then back to me. She gnawed on her lip for a moment. "Okay," she said finally. "Okay, I won't tell anyone. But, Hiroshi... please. Be careful. This is... way out of your league. And Yamato-san... she's in a different world."
Her words echoed Akane-san's, but her tone was one of genuine concern, not suspicion. It made me feel a little better knowing Aiko had a slightly clearer picture, even if not the whole truth.
"I will," I promised. "And Aiko... thanks. Thanks for worrying."
She gave me a small, sad smile. "Always, Hiroshi."
As she left, I finished packing my bag, my mind buzzing even more. Sakura-san's cryptic comment, Kenji's "number three" possibility, Aiko's worried understanding... This fake relationship was unraveling the quiet fabric of my life in ways I hadn't anticipated. And the biggest thread was the one connecting my confused feelings to Sakura-san's maybe-not-so-fake hint.